Operating handle for manually propelled tools



June 13, ww J. MCCAEE n@ 2,162,313-

OPERATINQHANDLE FOR MANUALLY PROPELLED TooLs Filed April e, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORS /a John .1. MSabe Arthur M7. Sg/*fried June 13, 1939. A J. -MMSE E., AL 2,162,313

OPERATING HANDLE FOR MANUALLY PROPELLED TOOLS f Filed April e, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTORS -John J. MQ Cabe Arthur ufsgf'ried FM ATTO Patented June 13,1939

` UNITED STATES .creanme HANDLE ron MANUALLY PATENT OFFICE PRQPELLED TOOLS Appuminn April s, 1935, serial No. 15,132`

zi claim. (ci. aso-4s) This invention relates to floor cleaning tools and inparticular iloor tools employing an ambulant structure with an operating stick or handle pivoted thereto and extending therefrom.

Devices of the general type referred to, may

comprise electric and non-electric suction cleaners; electric and non-electric carpet sweepers, as well as machines for scrubbing, sand-papering,

polishing or otherwise treating floors. Such 1,0 devices ordinarily are in the form. of a wheeled or. caster-supported casing having pivoted thereto an elongated operating handle by means of'- which the device ispropelled and steered over the surface being worked upon. The length of -the .op-

`l! erating handle makes it necessary to swing the same through a considerable arc to lone`side or the other in steering the device, and` when working near a wall or an article of furniture, it is sometimes awkward or diiiicult to manipulate the cleaner by reason of the fact that there is not suilicient room for the swinging of the handle. One of the objects of this invention relates to the provision of an operating handle for devices of the type described, having an improved means for 'steering the device ,by merely twisting the handle about its axis whereby vthe device may be directed into the corners and around objects on the surface being'cleaned'with a minimum of effort. f

- Other and further objects relate to the specific means and details of construction whereby the aforesaid object .may be realized in a simple and inexpensive mechanism, including provisions for rendering -the steering device inoperative so thatl the device may be used in much the same manner as conventional handlesI for vention consists in the novel construction, ar-

rangement and combination of parts, hereinafter illustrated and described in some of its embodiments in the accompanying drawings, and

particularly pointed out in the appended claims;

The present invention constitutes a continuation-in-part of the inventionshown in our copending application, Serial 110.678,454 :tiled June 30, 1933, for Suction sweeper.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is aperspective view of an electrically operated suction sweeper illustrating one of the various devices to which this invention may be applied; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view takenV through the 5 axis of the lower part of the sweeper handle, illustrating the mechanism provided for steering the sweeper; Figure 3 is a detail view of the handle lock taken on Figure 2 in a direction indicated by line 3 3; Figure 4 is a plan view 10 oi.' the underside of the handle bail with the plug cap ofthe motor cord removed, taken on line 4 4, Figure 2; Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 5-5, Figure 2; Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view, illustrating 15 the structure associated with the ends of the handle bail; Figure 7 is a sectional View taken on line 'L -1, Figure 6; Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, illustrating a mod ied form of the invention; Figure 9 is a side elevational 20 view, partly in section, of the structure shown in Figure 8; Figure `10 is a sectional view taken on line ill- HL Figure 8;"Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line II--l-II, Figure 8; Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line i2-i2, Figure 25 8; Figure 13 is a detail view illustrating. the handle lock; Figure 14 is a sectional View taken on linel |4|4, Figure 13; and Figure 15 is a plan view of the sweeper illustrating the mode of operation of the steering handle. 30A

The suction sweeper shown in Figure 1 was selected for the purpose of illustrating this invention, largely because devices of this kind are commonly used and well understood-and they represent one of the wider elds for the use of 35 the invention. It will become apparent as this description proceeds, that the invention is not, specifically limited in its use to suction sweepers and that it is also useful in connection with other devices, some of which have been mentioned 40 earlier in this description.

The suction sweeper comprises a casing i supi ported upon wheels or casters iEl as is customary in devices of this character. A filter bag 2' connected by means of a'. spring 3 to a handle 4, 45

communicates with the discharge outlet 5 of the casing structure. A foot pedal 6 is provided for raising or lowering the c'asingvstructure with respect to its supporting casters 'and the surface upon which the sweeper is resting 'I'he mecha- V50 ing structure I and :in clectric cord 1 carried by the handle 4 is provided ior connecting the m0- to to a source of current supply. A pistol grip 8 having a resilient knob I0 4at its outer end is secured to the end of the handle 4 remote from the casing. The operating member II of a sultable switch (not shown) is carried by the pistol grip in position where it may be readily manipulated bythe thumb of the operator for the purpose of controlling the operation of the electric motor of the device.

The lower end ofthe handle 4 is attached to a bail I2, the ends of which project through slots I3 formed in the casing structure. The arms of. the bail may be in the form of metal stampings which may be secured by means of bolts 9 to laterally extending arms of a tubular or cylindrical member 21. The-arms of the bail are secured to the casing I by means of pivot pins I4 so that the handle may be swung through a considerable arc about a horizontal axis. Rollers I5 are provided at the lower ends of the arms of the bail. These rollers are adapted for engagement with the bent-over ends I6 and I1 of a U-shaped spring I8 xedly attached at points intermediate its ends to the casing structure by any suitable means, such as, rivets 2U. x

When the handle is moved to an upright position, the roller I5 rides over the bent-over end I6 of the spring and the handle is thus maintained in a vertical position. When the handle 4 is moved towards the floor, the roller I5 con- ,tacts with the end portion I1 of the spring and the resistance of the spring at this point is suff cient to permit raising of the forward end of the nozzle by the handle for the purpose of lifting the end of the sweeper over slight obstructions. Further downward movement of the handle overcomes the tension of the spring, whereupon the handle may be adjusted to a substantially horizontal position, which may be advantageous under certain conditions as where the sweeper is used for cleaning under beds and 'other low objects, and when desired, the handle may be returned to its original operating position upon overcoming the tension of the spring, which is accomplished without difliculty.

The handle 4 of the sweeper is rotatably joined to its bail I2 by means of a coupling enclosed- .thefhead of a screw 23 which is received in a ilttingflj, xedly secured to the end of the handle..,`bylmeans of such a screw. A second circumferential opening 25 is provided in the lower part of the tubular member 2| to denne a guldeway for the head of a screw 26, threadably received in the cylindrical member 21 having laterally extending parts fixed to the arms of the bail I2, as previously described. The upper end of the member 21 is formed with gear teeth 2l. The lower endl of the fitting 24 carried by the handle 4 is also provided with a similar set of gear teeth 30.

The tubular member 2I is traversed at its bend by a pin 3I. A diierential gea'r 32 is journaled on the pin 3| within the tube 2|. This gear meshes with the gear teeth 28 and 3U, so that when the cleaner handle 4 is twisted in one direction, the member 21 which is rigid with the bail, is rotated in an opposite direction, and in this manner by a simple twist of the wrist, the direction of movement of the sweeper may be changed without swinging the sweeper handle through an arc to one side or the other, thereby saving the operator considerable labor in the use of the sweeper, while-at the same time facilitating its manipulation. The maximum arc through which the handle may be twisted is determined by the length of the slots 22 and 25, the ends of which are engaged by the heads of the screws 23 and 26 respectively at the extreme limits of the twisting movement of thehandle. The use of the gears 28, 30 and 32 may be dispensed by xedly attaching the handle 4 to the fitting 42I by any suitable means such as those illustrated in Figure 8, in which case, when the sweeper is being propelled, a twisting movement of the handle will turn the sweeper casing in the same direction as the handle is turned as will be described in detail presently.

A plate 33 is slidably mounted in a slot 34 formed in the tting member 21, which is rigid with the bail I2. 'I'he plate 33 may be locked in its adjusted position by means of a winged screw 35 which extends through a slot 36 formed in such member. The tube 2I has a slot 31 Iregistering with the slot 34 when the handle is in a normal untwisted position. When the member 33 is moved into the slot 31, the sleeve 2I and the handle 4 are locked to the bail I2 and it is then impossible to twist the cleaner handle with respect to the bail. This arrange7 rient is provided for use when it is not intended or desired to use the steering device just described.

The electrical connections between the motor and the switch of the sweeper are effected by conductors 38, 38 threaded through the handle 4. These conductors are connected at their lower ends to the element 4U of a separable plug connector. The plug element is held in place by means of a stamping 39 which is secured to the underside of the bail by bolts 9. The cooperating attachment plug cap, which is indicated by the numeral 4I, is connected to an armored cable 42, which in turn is connected to the motor windings. The separable connection shown, is provided for the purpose of facilitating the disconnection of the handle from the device, and by providing a separable electrical connection at this point, the disconnection of the handle may be effected without breaking any permanent or semi-permanent electrical connections. The plug element 40 has an annular shoulder 4I)a received in a recess of complementary form in the member 21, and the outer face of the element is formed with parallel sides which are gripped by the stamping 39, and in this manner, the plug element is held against movement in all directions.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figures 8 to 14, the tubular handle 4 of the sweeper is xedly secured to an angularlv disposed tubular tting 5B, which is clamped to the. end of the tube v-by means of a screw 5I received in spaced ears 50* integral with the fitting. A suitable slot 53 is formed in the end of the tube for ,receiving a key 52 which is held on the screw 5I between opposltely disposed ears 50a of the tting 50. A tubular sleeve or gasket 54 may be interposed between -the handle 4 and the tting 5U for to the sweeper casing I `in the manner illustrated i insulating the handle from the sweeper casing. The lower end of the tubular fitting 50 is received withina tubular member 55, forming a part of the bail I2 as in the case of the element 21 previously described. The bail I2 of the device shownin Figures 8 to v14 is pivotally secured in Figure 1.- The element 55 at its upper end is inclined rearwardly of the-bail. 'I'he lower end of the fitting 50 has a circumferentially disposed opening denning a guideway 56' as shown best in Figures 8 and 12 for'recelving the reduced and unthreaded end of a screw 51 carried by the member 55. The rotatable. connection just re-I ferred to permits the changing of direction of the sweeper'uponthe twisting 'of the sweeper handle, in much the same manner as for the mechanism previously referred to in connection with the discussion of the device shown in Figvan , twisting of the handle.

`part of the member 55 is also similarly shifted,`

and by reason of such movement, the direction of movement of the sweeper is changed. Thus when the handle is twisted in la clockwise direction, a clockwise turning movement is imparted to the sweeper casing and contrarily for a reverse The operation of the form of steering device first described is illustrated in Figure 15 in which .the full lines indicate the normal position of the handle and its associated casing structure. When the hand grip 8 is twisted in a clockwise direction to the dotted line position shown in this figure, the casing I of the sweeper is shifted in a counterclockwise direction to the dotted line position shown. If the hand grip were twisted in a reverse direction, a corresponding reverse movement of `the casing I would take place.

` The member 55 is provided at one side with a slotted guigieway 50 for slidably receiving a key BI having an offset knob 62 for its operation. A portion of the key is'undercut at its underside for receiving a bowed flat spring 63vwhich is provided for frictionally maintaining the key in its adjusted position. The key 6I is adapted for cooperation with a slot 64 vformed in the member 58. 'I'hc slot 64' and the guldeway (il) are inalignment when the sweeper handle is in a normal untwisted position, and the relatively movable parts of the handle may be locked in such position by sliding the key 6| into registrywith the slot 64 and conversely the handle parts may be lunlockedby returning the key to the position shown in Figures 13 and' 14.

In the use of the device,'the pivoted connection between the handle bail I2 and the casing structure of the sweeper takes care of the movement of the handle bail about a horizontal axis as may be occasioned .during the twisting movement of the handle for changing the direction of movement of the sweeper'casing. The electrical connections from the handle switch to the motor of the sweeper are effected in substantially the same manner as previously described for the handle shown in Figure 1, the conductors 38 being connected to the separable plug element 40 which cooperates with the attachment plug cap 4I connected to the motor cable 42.

In the species of Figures 8 to 14, the steering of the handle 4 is due to the Hookes joint connection in which I4 andV 55, 58 are the pivots and the axis of 55, 58 is thus operative to steer the sweeper by reasonof its horizontal component of movement. The vertical component of movement is taken care of by the pivotal connection A I4 between the bail and the sweeper casing, and by reason of this joint, there is substantially no swinging ofthe handle and the steering movement is effected substantially entirely by a twisting movement of the handle.A

In the species of Figures 1 to 7, the steering of the cleaner is effected by twisting the handle 4 and thus rotating the bail in the lower portion of the bent tube ina reverse direction through the action of the gears 28, :IIIy and 32.

In. the handle shown in Figures 8 to 14, the lower ends of the conductors 38 are vulcanized to a strain relief inthe form of a sleeve 65 having an enlarged end 65 carried in a cavity 51 of complementary form yprovided in the memberv 55. The interior of'the member 55 is formed with an arcuate groove or slot 68 for receiving a projecting tongue 'I0 formed at the end ofthe fitting 5Il. The twisting movement which may be imparted to the sweeper handle is thus limited by contact of the tongue 10 with the ends of the groove 68. In both modiilcations of the-invention the hand grip 8 is downwardly offset at an angle from the handle 4 sogas to facilitate the twisting of the handle by utilizing the hand grip as a lever arm at this point.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth are presented for purposes of illustration and explanation and that various modifications of said apparatus and procedure may be made without departure from the invention as deiined in the appended claims.

Having `thus described our invention what w claim is: A V

1. Means for directing a wheel supported, surface traversing implement comprising an elongated sectional handle member normally angularly inclined with respect to the implement and having freely operable couplings rotatably vconnecting said handle sections to each other and to .the implement, the axis of yone of said couplings extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of mot-lion of the implement and in a substantially horizontal plane, the axis of the other of said couplings being substantially normal to said first named axis and at an angle to the vertical, whereby a twisting Vmotion of said handle member about its own axis produces a change in the direction of motion of the implement.

2. Means 4for manually propelling and directing a wheel supported, surface traversing implement comprising an elongated sectional handle member normally angularly inclined with respect to the implement and having freely operable couplings rotatably connecting said handle member sections to each other and to the implement, the` axis of one of said couplings extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of motion of the implement and in a substantially horizontal plane, the axis of the other of said couplings being spaced from andsubstantially normal to said rst named axis andat an angle to the vertical, whereby a twisting motion of said handle member about its own axis 'produces a change in .the direction of motion of the implement. l

3. Means for manually propelling and directing a wheel supported, surface traversingimplement comprising an elongated sectional handlemember 'Ity normally angularly inclined with respect to the implement and having a hand grip at the end remote from the implement, means for connecting one section of said handle member to the implement for movement about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of motion of the implement and in a substantially horizontal plane, and means for connecting another section of said handle to said ilrst named handle section for movement about an axis substantially normal to said first named axis and at an angle to the vertical, whereby a twisting motion of the hand grip of said handle member produces a change in the direction of motion of the implement.

4. Means for manually propelling and directing a wheel supported, surface traversing implement comprising an elongated handle member normally angularly inclined with respect to the implement and formed from two sections joined to each' other for relative rotation, means for connecting said handle member to the implement for movement about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of motion of the implement and in a substantially horizontal plane, the axis of the relative rotation of said handle sections being spaced from an'd'substaritially normal to said first named axis and at an angle to the vertical, whereby a twisting motion of the end of the handle remote from the implement about the axis of the handle in one direction or the other produces 'a corresponding change in the direction of motion of the implement.

5. Means for manually propelling and directing a surface traversing implement comprising an elongated handle member normally angularly inclined with respect to said implement, means for connecting said handle member to said implement for movement about two non-intersecting axes, one of said axes extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of motion,of said implement and in a substantially horizontal plane, the other of said axes being substantially normal to said first named axis and at an angle to the vertical, whereby a twisting motion of said handle about its own axis produces a change in the direction of motion of said implement, and selective means for locking said handle against movement about one of said axes.

6. Means for manually propelling and directing a surface traversing implement comprising an elongated handle member normally angularly inclined with respect to said implement, means for connecting said handle member to saidimplement for movement about two non-intersecting axes,

one of said axes extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of motion of said implement and in a substantially horizontal plane, the

other of said axes being substantially normal to sai'd iirst named axis and at an angle to the vertical, whereby a twisting motion of said handle about its own axis produces a change in the direction of motin of said implement, and selective means for locking said handle against movement about said second named axis.

7. Means for manually propelling and directing a surface traversing implement comprising an elongated handle member normally angularly inclined with respect tosaid implement, means for connecting said handle member to said implement for movement about two non-intersecting axes, one of said axes extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of motion of said implement and in a substantially horizontal plane,

the other of said axes being substantially normal to said first named axis and at an angle to the vertical, whereby a twisting motion of said handle about its own axis in one direction or the other produces a corresponding change in the direction of motion of said implement, and selective means for locking the sections of said handle member to each other.

8. Means for manually propelling and directing a surface traversing implement comprising an elongated handle member normally angularly inclined with respect to said implement, means for connecting said handle member to said implement. for movement about two non-intersecting axes, one of said axes extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of motion of said implement and in a substantially horizontal plane, the other of said axes being substantially normal to said first named axis and at an angle to the vertical, whereby a twisting motion of said handle about its own axis in one direction or the other produces a corresponding change in the direction of motion of said implement, and means for limiting the extent of the rotatable movement of the sections of said handle member with respect to each other.

9. A oor tool comprising, a casing, supporting wheels for said casing, and an operating handle pivoted at one end to said casing on a horizontal axis and having a hand grip at its other end, said handle being formed `from two sections sleeved to each other on an angle and having provisions to permit relative movement between the handle sections at their junction whereby the direction of movement of said casingmay be changed by twisting the hand grip of said handle.

1 0. Means for manually'propelling and directing a floor tool comprising an operating handle pivoted at one end to the tool on a horizontal axis and having a hand' grip at its other end, said handle being formed from two sections sleeved to each other on an angle and having provisions for permitting relative rotational movement of the handle sections at the place where they are sleeved to each other whereby the direction Vfaced by the tool may be changed by twisting the hand grip of the handle, and selective means for locking the sections of said handle to each other.

11. Means for manually propelling and directing a iloor tool comprising an operating handle pivoted at one end to the tool on ai horizontal axis and having a hand grip at its other end, said handle being formed from two sections sleeved to each other on an angle and having provisions for permitting relative rotational movement of the handle sections at the place where they are lsleeved to each other whereby the direction faced by the tool may be changed by twisting the hand grip of the handle, and means for limiting the extent of the relative rotational movement of said handle sections with respect to each other.

12. A floor tool comprising, a casing, supporting wheels for said casing, a. two-piece operating handle pivoted at one end to said casing on a horizontal axis and having a hand grip at its -other end, means for rotatably connecting the two sections of said handle to each other on an' normally lying` in the plane defined bythe axes of, the handle sections, said means having provisions for permitting relative rotational-movement of the handle sections at the place where they are connected to each other whereby the direction faced by the Atool may be changed by twisting the hand grip of thehandle, and sele'ctive means 'for locking the sections of said handle to each-other.

'14. A floor tool comprising, a casing, supporting wheels for said casing, a two-piece operating handle pivoted at one end to said casing on aV horizontal axis `and having a hand grip at its other end, means for rotatably connecting the two sections of said handle to each other on an angle `'normallyl lying in the plane defined by the i axes of the handleA sections, said means having 'provisions for permitting relative rotational 15. A device for steering the casing of an ambulant ilo'or tool comprising a handle with a pair of sections arranged end-to-end connected at one end to the tool, coupling means for rotatably connecting the handle sections to each4 other on an angle at their contiguous ends so that a twisting movement of one part of the handle effects a twisting movement of the other part of the handle' and thus steers the casing of the floor tool, the coupling means for said handle sections comprising a member having angularly disposed bearings for rotatably receiving the contiguous ends of the handle sections and'means for operatively connecting the handle sections to each other.

16. A device for steering the casing of an ambulant floor tool comprising a handle with a pair of sections arranged end-to-end connected at one end to the tool, coupling means for rotatably connecting the handle sections to each other on an angle at their contiguous ends so that a twisting movement of one -part of the handle eiects a twisting movement of the other part of the handle and thus steers the casing of the floor tool, the coupling means for said handle sections comprising a member having angularly disposed bearings for rotatably receiving the contiguous ends of the handle sections and cooperating gears inside said member for operatively connecting the;

handle sections to each other.

17. A device forsteering the casing of an ambulant floor tool comprising a handle with a pair of sections arranged end-to-end connected at one end to the tool, coupling means for rotatably connecting the handle sections to each other on anfangle at their contiguous ends so that a twisting movement of one part of the handle eifects' a twisting movement ofthe other part of the handle and thus steers the casingA of the floor tool, the coupling means for said handle sections comprising a member having angularly disposed bearingsforl rotatably receiving'the contiguous ends of the handle sections, a pinion journaled inside lsaid memberand cooperating gears rigid with the contiguous ends of the handle sections and engaging s aid pinion for operatively connecting the handle sections to each other.

18. A steering handle for a manually propelled, wheel supported tool comprising upper and lower handle sections, a hand grip at one end of the handle, means for attaching. the other end ol.` the handle to the tool, and means for coupling the sections of said handle to. each other on a substantially fixed angle to permit relative iotational movements of the handle sections for eiecting the steering of the tool when the upper handle section is twisted about its axis.

19. A steering handle for a manually propelled, Wheel supported tool comprising upper and lower handle sections, 'a hand grip at one end of thev handle, means for pivotally attaching the other end of the handle to the tool, and means for coupling the sections of said handle to each other on a substantially fixed angle to permit relative rotational movements of the handle sections for effecting the steering of the tool when the upper handle section isv twisted about its axis, the movements of one of said handle sections being about an axis inclined with respect to the axis of the other `handle section." e

20. A steering handle for a manually propelled, wheel supported tool comprising upperand lower handle sections, a hand grip at one end of the handle, means for attaching the other end of the handle to the tool; and means for coupling the sections of said handle to each other on a substantially fixed angle to permit relative rotational movements of the handle sections for,`

effecting the steering ofthe tool when the upper handle section is twisted about its axis, said handle sections each being movable about an axis inclined with respect to the axis of the y other handle section.

' 21.` A sectional steeringhandle for a manually propelled, wheel supported tool comprising a bail and a shaft portion, a hand grip at one end of said shaft portion, means for attaching said bail to the tool, and means for coupling the bail to the shaft portion ofsaid handle on an angle both with respect to the plane defined by the bail and `the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion ofthe ambulant floor tool comprising, a'handle of sec- A tional construction connected at one end to the tool and having an intermediate coupling member for rotatably connecting the end of one section of the handle on an angle to the endof another section of the handle, and means for gearing said handle sections to each other so that twisting movement of the handle section remote from the tool effects a turning or steering movement of the tool in a reverse direction.

23. A device for steering a wheel supported, ambulant floor tool comprising, a handle of sectional construction connected at oneend tothe tool and having an intermediate coupling member for .rotatably receiving and connecting the endy of one section of the handle on an angle tothe end of another section of the handle, and means contiguous ends of said handle sections to each other.

24. A device for steering a wheel supported, ambulant floor tool comprising, a handle oi sectional construction connected at one end to the tool and having an intermediate coupling member for rotatably receiving and connecting the end of one section of the handle on an angle to the end of another section of the handle,

said coupling member including bearing portions for said handle sections disposed on an angle with respect to each other, means inside said coupling member for gearing the contiguous ends of said handle sections to each other, and stop means for limiting the movements of the handle sections with respect to each other.

JOHN J. McCABE.

ARTHUR W. SEY'FRIED. 

